Heritage management on Eyre Peninsula

01/07/2022

Downer is committed to preserving the cultural heritage of all the sites we operate on.

To Downer, heritage consists of all aspects that make up a country’s identity – this includes historic buildings and sites, spirit and ingenuity, and unique living landscapes.

On our Eyre Peninsula Link project in South Australia, we work with a team of up to 36 Barngarla people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which the project is based, who complete thorough cultural heritage monitoring of the worksite every day. Before any ground disturbance is done onsite, it must first be inspected by a Barngarla heritage monitor to ensure our works do not disturb or encroach onto a heritage site.

Downer’s Cultural Heritage Coordinator, Lucretia Papargyris, plays an important role in ensuring cultural heritage is preserved across the project’s large footprint. “My job is to ensure the monitors have everything they need to undertake their tasks – vehicles, accommodation, an understanding of the requirements and locations,” Lucretia says.

“The main objective is to make sure we meet our Cultural Heritage plan and respectfully work across Barngarla country. I’m proud of the work we do to preserve and protect Barngarla heritage. “What appealed to me about this job was the opportunity to work on country with the Barngarla people. As a company, Downer appealed to me because of the way it respects the environment and cultural heritage."

“To be part of a company that builds safe infrastructure while treading lightly on country, respecting culture and minimising our environmental impact is very rewarding."

“There is a lot of room for growth in this area, and Downer is leading the way. “It’s great to work with the cultural heritage crew and know we are respecting the land and Aboriginal culture, and doing things the right way.”